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Some of us are the proverbial absent minded professors and a checklist, written or mental is a good idea.

Come up with a method that works for you and your crew and stick to it. It works.

I would also suggest that a checklist helps people who are less familiar either with sailing or with your boat not make any bonehead moves, and feel more involved in the day's sailing. When my wife and I went sailing a couple of weeks ago, I was reminded of how little she has had the opportunity to make the whole process -- casting off, tacking, docking, etc., -- second nature. We had a great day out, yet had I given her the well worn laminated checklist in the car as a reminder before we got to the slip, she would have been more comfortable in the beginning.

We also,have a crew briefing notebook that all passengers and crew must read....it details where all the safety equipment is at and how systems like the head are to be operated.

A great idea, and can probably be a one or two sided sheet (maybe less for our boat because we don't use the porta potty). And a good way to ensure that everyone knows that he or she has a part in keeping everyone safe on the water.

08-20-2012 04:20 PM

Donna_F

Re: Anyone use a checklist

The question of checklists has come up before. These Sailnet threads might be helpful:

It really is different strokes for different folks! And everyones checklists, wether mental or written out are different. Our boat is complicated....I like it that way....I also like safety and order....so my checklists protect me and my boat (my investment! ) :-)

If you need a written checklist every time you go out, you are sailing a boat that is way too complicated or fussy.

Time to downsize to something more simple or less complex.

Daysailers are perfect for 99% of what most people do.

Subtle advertising there. So, using the OP's question, do day sailers never have shore power, or other such things that could be forgotten? I can't count the times at a ramp I have seen small boats leave a through hull open and just barley make it back to the trailer before disaster.

This is an issue of workflow that works for the individual. Some of us are the preverbal absent minded professors and a checklist, written or mental is a good idea. I dingy sail right now and have forgotten things as I pulled away from shore in the excitement to get out. PFD lying on the trailer for example.

While I am new to sailing (can I keep saying that years after buying my boat?), I use a mental check list and visual scan before moving whether launching my raft for a multi day trip, pulling into the snow on my sled, or getting into my car to drive to work.

Come up with a method that works for you and your crew and stick to it. It works.

08-20-2012 11:22 AM

WDS123

Re: Anyone use a checklist

If you need a written checklist every time you go out, you are sailing a boat that is way too complicated or fussy.

Time to downsize to something more simple or less complex.

Daysailers are perfect for 99% of what most people do.

08-20-2012 09:27 AM

CarbonSink62

Re: Anyone use a checklist

I haven't sailed my new boat yet (hangs head in shame), but I already have my first checklist:
(the SailNet forum ate my formatting)Before Leaving (7/10/12)Forward Hatch
Dog itThrough Hulls
Close the one for the head
Close the one for the galleyPower Panel
All switches OFFIce Box
Itís ok to leave unopened bottles & cans
Leave lid half off so condensation doesnít build upSolar Panels
Connect leads to House battery
Set up panels on cockpit seats
Leave controller inside deck lockerEnsign
Remove the staff
Wrap flag around it
Stow it belowMotor
Retract & tiltEquipment Covers
Tiller MainsailPadlocks
Companionway
Motor
Deck locker
Cockpit lockerLifelines
Ensure both gates are closedDock Lines
2 fenders (check height)
Bow line Stern line
2 Spring lines
-----
I just need to scan the items in bold.

I'll create lists for Day Sail, Overnight, etc. and also one for Docking so I'm not looking for my boat hook when I should be using it.

08-20-2012 09:03 AM

smurphny

Re: Anyone use a checklist

I use a number of checklists. There is no way that some crucial thing will NOT be overlooked without them. 1. A very long, 3 page, 3 column list of all the things that need to be done before casting off for extended trips. This includes home items to be done before leaving as well as things that need to be put aboard, food, supplies, etc. Things like "move routes and markers from home computer to flash drives" are on this list. 2. A list of things to do before lifting anchor on ANY day. This one is pasted right beside the companionway. 3. A sequential list of things to do before raising the mast. It's a big PITA to discover you forgot to attach that Windex. 4. An "offshore" checklist if heading out away from sight of land for more than a day. 5. Ditch kit list kept right in the bag. 6. Steps to set up and deploy the sea anchor. This is not something you do every day and it may someday need to be done in the right sequence under duress. Many of the launchings of these things go awry. 7. Besides these printed lists, I have a day to day Excel spreadsheet, set up as a calendar and budget. It has all the important dates to remember (like paying property taxes, insurance bills, renewing documentation, etc.) projected out a couple of years. I also use it to record any credit card expenditures so that bills can be paid via stamp and snail mail even if I can't get the statement or if there's no https secure wifi available.

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